Inflatable decorative device

ABSTRACT

An inflatable decorative device has a base, a blowing system, an inflatable cover mounted on the base to provide a chamber, and at least a portion of the cover being transparent. A plurality of lightweight elements are circulated in the chamber by the blowing system. A scene with a snowing effect is created by the circulating lightweight elements inside the inflatable decorative device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an inflatable decorative device forexhibition, and more particularly to an inflatable decorative devicethat shows a whole scene within the decorative device.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional decorative devices for exhibitions include some inflatablefigures that are made of cloth sewn together to achieve particularfigures (animals, special icons, cartoon characters etc) for enhancingattraction or for advertisement. When the inflatable figures areexhibited, air-injecting devices have to be connected with theinflatable figures so as to make the inflatable figures float or erect.Thereby, the inflatable figures are attractive.

However, the inflatable figures only show particular images respectivelyand are static. Therefore, if a scene having multiple characters isdisplayed in the exhibitions, many inflatable figures corresponding tothe characters have to be prepared to perform the scene. Moreover,because the exhibitions of the inflatable figures are in an openenvironment, some special effects, such as blowing snow, can not bepresent in the open environment.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate or obviate thedisadvantages of the conventional decorative device of the inflatablefigures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an inflatabledecorative device that constructs a closed environment to present awhole scene completely.

Another main objective of the present invention is to provide aninflatable decorative device that further contains a snowing device

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the inflatable decorativedevice in accordance with the present invention comprises a base, ablowing device, a transparent cover, an optional spraying pipe, multipleinflatable models and optional plastic particles.

The base is composed of a top, a bottom, an inner wall and an outer wallformed between the top and the bottom, wherein the outer wall surroundsthe inner wall to define an inner area inside the inner wall forreceiving the blowing device and an intermediate area is defined betweenthe inner wall and the outer wall.

The transparent cover is mounted on the base to provide a chamber.

The blowing device has two injecting tubes respectively communicatingwith the intermediate area and the chamber.

The optional spraying tube aligns with one of the injecting tubes in theblowing device and extends into the chamber within the transparentcover.

The multiple inflatable models are permeable, placed between the top ofthe base and the transparent cover, and communicated with theintermediate area, wherein the multiple inflatable models arecommunicated with each other to achieve an airflow route.

The optional plastic particles are stacked around the spraying tube nearthe injecting tube of the blowing device.

The inflatable decorative device has the closed chamber provided betweenthe transparent cover and the base, therefore, the plastic particles areblown upward by the blowing device. Moreover, the inflatable modelsinflated inside the transparent cover also play parts of a scene in theinflatable decorative device. Therefore, the whole scene with multiplemodels and the optional appearance of snowing is achieved within thedecorative device of the present invention.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after a careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate references to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an inflatable decorative devicein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an operationally cross-sectional side view of the inflatabledecorative device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of theinflatable decorative device in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 4 is an operationally cross-sectional side view of the inflatabledecorative device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An inflatable decorative device in accordance with the present inventioncomprises:

a base composed of a top, a bottom, an inner wall and an outer walldefined between the top and the bottom, wherein the outer wall surroundsthe inner wall to define an inner area inside the inner wall forreceiving the blowing device and an intermediate area is defined betweenthe inner wall and the outer wall;

a transparent cover mounted on the base to provide a chamber;

a blowing device having a first injecting tube communicating with theintermediate area; and

multiple inflatable models being permeable, placed between the base andthe transparent cover and respectively communicated with theintermediate area, wherein the multiple inflatable models arecommunicated with each other to achieve an airflow route.

By injecting air into the inflatable model, all inflatable model arepropped up and excess air is allowed to enter the chamber to inflate thetransparent cover until the whole inflatable decorative device is in apressure balance. The inflatable models show the whole scene within theinflatable decorative device

In order to creative the snowing-like appearance, the inflatabledecorative device further has

a second injecting tube connecting to the first injecting tube to extendinto the chamber;

a spraying tube aligning with the second tube and extending into thetransparent cover; and

plastic particles stacked around the spraying tube near the tube of theblowing device.

By providing the closed chamber between the transparent cover and thebase, therefore, the plastic particles are cyclically blown upward bythe blowing device. Moreover, a scene with snowing is performed by themultiple inflatable models and the flying plastic particles inside thedecorative device.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of theinflatable decorative device in accordance with the present inventionhas a base (10), a blowing device (20), a transparent cover (30), aspraying pipe (31), multiple inflatable models (40) and plasticparticles (32).

The base (10) is composed of a top, a bottom (15), an inner wall (12)and an outer wall (11) formed between the top and the bottom (15). Theouter wall (11) surrounds the inner wall (12). The outer wall (11) ismade of permeable material. The inner wall (12) defines an inner areafor receiving the blowing device (20). Moreover, an intermediate area(14) is defined between the inner wall (12) and the outer wall (11). Thebase (10) further has an opening (13) transversally formed through theinner wall (12) and the outer wall (11) to allow air to enter the innerarea. The top of the base (10) is a funnel-shaped top (16) to direct andaccommodate the plastic particles (32). The plastic particles arepreferably made of Styrofoam® (foamed polystyrene).

The transparent cover (30) is inflatable and mounted over the top of thebase (10). When the transparent cover (30) is completely inflated, achamber (3) is provided within the transparent cover (30). Selectively,the transparent cover (30) can be partially transparent in optionalmodifications. Moreover, parts of the transparent cover (30) can bepermeable in case the chamber (3) is over-pressurized.

The blowing device (20) is received inside the inner area within thebase (10) and has a fan (21) with a motor (22), an inducing pipe (33)with a filter (331), and a manifold composed two injecting tubes (25,26). The fan (21) is mounted on a rack (24) and has a bottom inlet (23)and a connector (231). The inducing pipe (33) connects to the bottominlet (23) of the fan (21) and extends into the transparent cover (30).The inducing pipe (33) has a distal end and the filter (331) is attachedto the distal end. The manifold has a first injecting tube (25) havingone end connected to the connector (231) on the fan (21) and the otherend penetrating the inner wall (12) to communicate with the intermediatearea (14). The manifold has a second injecting tube (26) having one endconnected to the first injecting tube (25) near the connector (231) andthe other end extending through the funnel-shaped top (16) of the base(10) to enter the chamber (3). Particularly, the end of the secondinjecting tube (26) is attached at the center of the funnel-shaped top(16), i.e. a nadir on the funnel-shaped top (16).

The multiple inflatable models (40) are made of inflatable and permeablematerial and secured between the base (10) and the transparent cover(30). The multiple inflatable models (40) are connected with each otherto perform an airflow route. Each inflatable model (40) has a connectingpipe (17) communicating to the intermediate area (14). When the fan (21)transmits the air into the intermediate area (14), the air blows intothe inflatable models (40) to inflate them. Then, some excess airpermeates out from the inflatable models (40) to enter the chamber (3).

The spraying pipe (31) is secured on the funnel-shaped top (16) of thebase (10) to extend to the chamber (3) and has an adjacent end, a distalend and multiple fastening strips (312). The multiple fastening strips(312) connect between the adjacent end of the spraying pipe (31) and thefunnel-shaped top (16) to keep the spraying pipe (31) stable. Thereby,the spraying pipe (31) is not directly connected with the secondinjecting tube (26) and a gap is defined between the spraying pipe (31)and the second injecting tube (26) to allow plastic particles (32) tofill the gap. The distal end of the spraying pipe (31) extends into thechamber (3) to attach to a top of the chamber (3) and has a sprayer(314) mounted at the top of the chamber (3) to spray the plasticparticles (32). Preferably, the spraying pipe (31) partially erectsinside one inflatable models (e.g., a tree) and is held still when themultiple inflatable models (40) inflate.

When the inflatable decorative device operates, the motor (22) starts todrive the fan (21) to conduct airflow. The airflow is diverged into twoways, one is in the first injecting tube (25) and the other is in thesecond injecting tube (26). The airflow passing the first injecting tube(25) inflates the multiple inflatable models (40). Excess air inside theinflatable models (40) permeates out to enter the chamber (3) so thatthe transparent cover (30) is gradually inflated. The airflow passingthe second injecting tube (26) directly injects into the spraying pipe(31) and brings the plastic particles (32) to float upward and spray inthe chamber (3). After the airflow enters the chamber (3), excess air isextracted by the fan (21) via the inducing pipe (33). Therefore, a sceneof snowing is continuously presented in the decorative device of thisinvention.

With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, another preferred embodiment ofthe inflatable decorative device in accordance with the presentinvention has a similar structure with the former one except the blowingdevice (20). The blowing device (20) in the present embodiment comprisestwo fans (21 a, 21 b) with two respectively corresponding motors (22 a,22 b). The two fans (21 a, 21 b) are respectively connected to a firstinjecting tube (25 a) and a second injecting tube (26 b). The inducingpipe (33) is connected to the fan (21 b) combined with the secondinjecting tube (26 b).

By providing a closed environment, i.e. the chamber (3), between thetransparent cover (30) and the base (10), the plastic particles (32) arecyclically blown upward by the blowing device (20). Moreover, a scenewith a snowing-effect is performed by the multiple inflatable models(40) and the flying plastic particles (32) inside the decorative device.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiments, many other possible modifications and variations can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention ashereinafter claimed.

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 10. (canceled) 11.An inflatable decorative device comprising: a base; an inflatable covermounted on the base to provide a chamber containing a plurality oflightweight elements, at least a portion of the cover being transparent;and a blowing system adapted to inflate the cover, the blowing systembeing further adapted to circulate the plurality of lightweight elementswithin the chamber.
 12. The inflatable decorative device according toclaim 11, further comprising an inflatable, permeable part disposedbetween the base and the cover, the blowing system being further adaptedto inflate the inflatable, permeable part.
 13. The inflatable decorativedevice according to claim 12, wherein the inflatable, permeable part isa plurality of inflatable, permeable models.
 14. The inflatabledecorative device according to claim 13, wherein the plurality ofinflatable, permeable models are communicated with each other to achievean airflow route.
 15. The inflatable decorative device according toclaim 12, further comprising a spraying tube for distributing thelightweight elements within the chamber, the spraying tube including aninlet communicating with the chamber and adapted to receive theplurality of lightweight elements; and an outlet located above theinflatable, permeable part when the inflatable decorative device isinflated.
 16. The inflatable decorative device according to claim 12,wherein the base is adapted to channel air from the blowing system to atleast one of the cover and the inflatable, permeable part.
 17. Theinflatable decorative device according to claim 11, wherein the blowingsystem comprises at least one blowing device.
 18. The inflatabledecorative device according to claim 17, wherein the at least oneblowing device includes a fan having a motor.
 19. The inflatabledecorative device according to claim 18, wherein the at least oneblowing device includes a second fan having a motor.
 20. The inflatabledecorative device according to claim 17, the blowing system furthercomprising a pipe connected to an inlet of the at least one blowingdevice and communicating with the chamber, a distal end of the pipehaving a filter attached thereto.
 21. The inflatable decorative deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the lightweight elements are adapted tosimulate snow.
 22. The inflatable decorative device according to claim11, wherein the lightweight elements are made from foamed polystyrene.23. The inflatable decorative device according to claim 11, the basecomprising a top; a bottom; an inner wall formed between the top and thebottom; and an outer wall formed between the top and the bottom, whereinthe inner wall defines an inner area and the outer wall surrounds theinner wall to define an intermediate area between the inner wall and theouter wall.
 24. The inflatable decorative device according to claim 23,wherein the blowing system comprises at least one blowing device. 25.The inflatable decorative device according to claim 24, wherein the atleast one blowing device includes a first blowing device and a secondblowing device.
 26. The inflatable decorative device according to claim25, wherein the blowing system further includes a first injecting tubecoupled to the first blowing device and communicating with theintermediate area in the base.
 27. The inflatable decorative deviceaccording to claim 26, the blowing system further comprising a secondinjecting tube coupled to the second blowing device and communicatingwith the chamber.
 28. The inflatable decorative device according toclaim 24, wherein the blowing system further includes a first injectingtube coupled to the at least one blowing device and communicating withthe intermediate area in the base.
 29. The inflatable decorative deviceaccording to claim 28, the blowing system further comprising a secondinjecting tube coupled to the at least one blowing device andcommunicating with the chamber.
 30. The inflatable decorative deviceaccording to claim 29, further comprising a spraying tube having anopening aligned with the second injecting tube and communicating withthe chamber, the spraying tube for circulating the plurality oflightweight elements within the chamber.
 31. The inflatable decorativedevice according to claim 29, the spraying tube further comprising anadjacent end disposed in close proximity to the second injecting tube; adistal end; and multiple fastening strips, the fastening stripsconnecting the adjacent end of the spraying tube to the top of the base.32. The inflatable decorative device according to claim 31, wherein thedistal end of the spraying tube includes a sprayer attached to a top ofthe chamber.
 33. The inflatable decorative device according to claim 23,further comprising an inflatable, permeable part disposed between thebase and the cover, wherein the inflatable, permeable part communicateswith the intermediate area, and wherein the blowing system is furtheradapted to inflate the inflatable, permeable part.
 34. The inflatabledecorative device according to claim 23, the base further comprising anopening defined through the outer wall and the inner wall to communicatewith the inner area.